MADISON, Wis. — From management to membership, gender parity has a long way to go in the credit union industry, according to the World Council of Credit Unions.
In an effort to close the industry’s leadership gap, the Global Women’s Leadership Network has awarded a 2016 scholarship to four credit union women around the world.
“The Network is committed to advocating, accelerating and advancing women in the credit union industry. Our scholarship program nurtures the development of high-performing female leaders and allows participants to share experiences from other cultures,” said Calyn Ostrowksi, executive director of World Council's Foundation and Global Women's Leadership Network.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Gertrude Chiomba, finance officer, Sunbird SACCO (Malawi)
- Jane Wangari Ombongi, CEO, Mageresa SACCO Society (Kenya)
- Almira Sagatovas, chairperson, Association of Credit Unions of Agro-Industrial Complex (Kazakhstan)
- Laura Zavala, business development officer, Elevations Credit Union (USA)
WOCCU said the scholarship program includes complimentary membership to the Network and round-trip transportation to participate in the 2016 World Credit Union Conference and Global Women Forum event in Belfast, Northern Ireland, July 17–20. The program will equip these emerging credit union leaders with tangible skills, tools and resources they need to lead; and offers actionable steps for organizations to follow, according to WOCCU.
“I cannot express in words what winning this scholarship and being able to be a member of the Global Women's Leadership Network means to me,” Zavala said in a statement released by WOCCU. “Thank you so much for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime career growth opportunity.”
Thanks to a sponsorship from Ser Technology, this year's Forum costs only $150 and offers a unique opportunity to connect with women from different cultures, communities and experiences. Registration for women from developing CU movements is free, WOCCU said.
The Forum event will feature keynote speaker Betsy Myers, author of “Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You.” Myers currently leads workshops around the world on the changing nature of leadership. She served as chief operating officer of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign; President Clinton’s White House senior adviser for women’s issues; executive director of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Center for Public Leadership; and is founding director of the Bentley School’s Center for Women and Business. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing.
Network scholarships are made possible through annual memberships and sponsorships, including generous support from CUNA Mutual Group, TMG, and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund supported by OneAZ Credit Union and PSCU.
Throughout the conference, women will have the chance to further participate in leadership development activities taking place in the Global Women’s Networking Lounge and Sister Society program, sponsored by TMG and PSCU, respectively.
For info: www.woccu.org.